Football

Former JDT II manager gets 20-year ban, RM50k fine

Chairman Datuk Taufek Abdul Razak stressed that the FAM disciplinary committee decided on a harsh punishment because of the seriousness of the incident.

PETALING JAYA: On Jabbar, the former manager of Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II), has been slapped with a hefty 20-year ban and a RM50,000 fine for punching referee Sukri Abdul Rahman.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Taufek Abdul Razak revealed that On has pleaded guilty to the April 19 incident, which occurred after a Premier League tie against UiTM at the Pasir Gudang Stadium.

He has also submitted a written appeal.

Taufek stressed that the FAM disciplinary committee decided on a harsh punishment because of the seriousness of the incident.

“We have had a long discussion on this case and after studying several appeals by him, the committee have decided to hand him a 20-year suspension and RM50,000 fine,” said Taufek.

“He has been charged under Section 3.4 which carries a minimum two-year suspension. Since his ban is longer than that, he is allowed to appeal within the next seven days.

“Although we didn’t hand him a lifetime ban, it does not mean we are being lenient.”

Friday’s verdict was another blow to On who has been relieved of his managerial job and fined RM25,000 by his employer.

Given that On is also a committee member of the Johor FA (JFA), FAM have also slapped the state body with a separate RM40,000 fine.

In addition, JFA have also been fined RM30,000 for failing to provide adequate security during the April 19 match.

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move by FAM, the Terengganu FA (TFA) were only fined RM5,000 for a Feb 15 incident where their fans let off flares during a Super League match against Pahang at the Sultan Nasiruddin Stadium.

There was no fine for not providing adequate security. Usually, in such cases, a state FA would also be fined for not providing adequate security.

Declining to elaborate further, Taufek said his committee were “satisfied” with TFA’s explanations.